Sen Merkley (D-OR) aide saved electoral college ballots before terrorists reached the floor

[Mme. Defarge]

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214835169

Answer to a question that came up earlier here.

[Siwsan]

1. Thank you! (I believe that might have been my question)

That took courage and quick thinking.

[Mme. Defarge]

4. You're welcome!

I found it in my iMessages from a year ago. It was amazing to read through the conversation I was having with a friend as the whole thing played out in real time.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

2. These staffers are amazing and deserved our thanks

[msfiddlestix]

3. The mystery patriot is revealed at last. Thank you!

[Mme. Defarge]

5. Avec plaisir!

[wryter2000]

6. She may have saved our system of government

Imagine if the insurrectionists had gotten hold of them. I do remember more than one person carrying them out, though. They were in heavy, wooden boxes.

[Marthe48]

8. I think I read that the states keep copies

But losing the ones at the Capitol to traitors on 1-6-21 would have delayed the count for sure.

[Mme. Defarge]

9. And perhaps put into question

the authenticity of the copies.

[Marthe48]

13. Doubtless

Any excuse to ruin a fair election.

[former9thward]

11. No she did not save our system of government.

Under the Constitution the official voting of the electoral college is made on Dec. 12th. When that vote occurred in the 50 states Joe Biden was officially the President Elect. Jan 6 is a ceremonial count of the votes. Spacemen could come down and capture everyone in the Capitol building on Jan 6 and Joe Biden would still be president on Jan 20th. Constitution, Article I, Section One, Clauses 2 and 3.

[Me.]

14. IMHO, Without Those Ballots Everything Would've Been Thrown Up In The Air

all manner of false claims would've been made, Constitution or not, and the fight would've been on. And if it went to the Supremes, would they have, once again, declared the wrong man president?

[NutmegYankee]

21. 6 copies of the electoral votes are sent out from each state. The National Archives saves one copy.

They could have replaced the certified votes with the copy they retained.

[Me.]

23. THat Sounds Sane

But we are dealing with crazy people and any excuse will do

[NutmegYankee]

24. I know.

For your interest, this is the law:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/9

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/3/11

Basically two copies are held in reserve and can be called forward by the president of the senate. One is with the secretary of state for each state, and another is held by the national archives. The national archives had a FAQ that addressed what if the certified ballot was destroyed or lost and they stated they would send one of their copies to replace it.

[Me.]

25. Thank You

[Irish_Dem]

7. She was in danger as she had the prize the insurrectionists were

looking for..... or one of the prizes. The others being elected members of government.

This brave aide needs to get recognition for her quick thinking and bravery.

[Hortensis]

10. There were apparently 3 boxes of ballots.

Seems likely, though, that one aide was first to realize the need to act, and quickly, though. Heroes all.



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[Mme. Defarge]

12. Thank you.

I love that photo!

[Hortensis]

16. Thank you. Thank...everyone! who enabled us to certify

the election that same day. Just a little delay that was taken care of.

[Me.]

15. Bravo Ladies

[crickets]

18. That was quick thinking. We owe all of them eternal gratitude. 💙

[Cha]

17. I remember that!

[Hassler]

19. He's my senator, doing what he does, giving credit to the real heroes.

[Mme. Defarge]

20. Mine too!

[sunonmars]

22. There needs to be a wholesale change on how this is done.

Time has moved on and so must the procedure.

This whole 3 month of transition and waiting needs to be done a lot faster, quicker and more secure.

[UTUSN]

26. K&R